Rochester forward Hart signs NAHL tender
January 7, 2019
The Rochester Grizzlies of the NA3HL have announced forward Peyton Hart has signed a North American Hockey League (NAHL) tender agreement with the Janesville Jets of the Midwest Division. Hart is the first Rochester Grizzlies player to sign an NAHL tender.
Hart, a native of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, is in his first season in the NA3HL. The 6’0/170 lbs. 17-year-old forward has put up 27 points (9 goals, 18 assists) in 29 games with the Grizzlies this season.
“It’s really exciting for us. That’s what we’re here for. We’re here to get these guys to the next level. We should have some more in the pipeline but we’re really happy for Peyton. I know Janesville is a place he expressed to us that he has wanted to play for a long time since it’s close to home,” said Grizzlies Head Coach and GM Casey Mignone. “We’re happy that it was determined to be a good fit. The works starts now for him to continue to improve to hopefully make that team next year. We’re really happy for him.”
With the tender agreement, Hart will not be eligible for the NAHL draft in the spring. Any NAHL appearances he makes during the rest of this season will be with the Jets.
“It’s awesome. It’s an awesome feeling. A lot of guys will get that opportunity. I’m really appreciative to be the first one especially for a new organization. It’s a ton of work over the past few years that my coaches and teammates have put and faith in me that has helped me get to this point,” said Hart.
A tender is a contract, of sorts, a player signs announcing his intentions to play for that particular NAHL team and that NAHL team only. Once a player signs a tender with an NAHL team, his playing rights belong to that team within the NAHL and he may not be recruited by any other NAHL team. Each team is granted ten (10) tenders, which include one tender exclusively used on players from the NA3HL - plus or minus any trades - which became active on Nov. 1. Tendered players are not eligible for the NAHL draft, which will be held on June 4, 2019.
